A secret to improving soil of all types? Adding ORGANIC MATTER Okay so what is that exactly? Soil organic matter it’s made up of living, dead, and decomposing plants, microorganisms, and even decaying animals (weird, I know!) Materials like dried up leaves, banana peels, grass clippings, hay, composting woodchips are all full of microbial life (there can be a billion microorganisms in a teaspoon of compost or soil) (source: University of Maryland extension) Adding organic matter to your soil imp

Healthy soil is the foundation for healthy, productive plants. Preparing your beds before planting can make all the difference in the success of your garden. As organic matter decomposes, the soil level in your beds naturally goes down and needs replenishment. About 2-3 weeks before planting, cut back your cover crops at the soil level and pull back the mulch, leaving the cut plants on the soil surface. Then, enrich the beds by adding worm castings, compost and raised bed mix to prepare them for